Please help identify the "Elijah Austin" who was found dead ca. Feb 20, 1864 near Preston, Grayson Co TX.
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Elijah Austin, enlisted in Col. W.P. Adair’s 2d Cherokee Cavalry, Company E, on Jan 12, 1863, at Fort Smith. On Jun 23, 1863, he was reported as absent without leave, and on Jun 30, 1863, reported as a deserter and suspected of joining Martin Hart’s band of Union partisans. ... >>Martin D. Hart, a captain of a Hunt Co TX militia, was hung Jan 21, 1863 in Fort Smith.>>
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Two named accomplices, of the seven of Elijah Austin were... (once 20-30 accomplices showed up):
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Mr. Carr.. may have been "William Carr" of the 1st Cherokee Cavalry, Co A.
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HAMMOCK, HAMMACK, Willoughby R. Hammock b-1837 AL in 1870 Lamar Co TX cen p373; Martin's 5th Partisan Rangers, Co G; Adair’s 2nd Cherokee Cavalry, Co A (Co I, 1st Choctaw-Chickasaw Mtd Regt, CSA)
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Six letters in THE BOURLAND PAPERS address the Feb 20, 1864 death of Elijah Austin. One stated:
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" .. Captain W.H. Shannon of Col. W.P. Adair’s Regt. arrived here yesterday morning, with instructions from Genl. D.H. Cooper to ascertain the circumstances under which, Elijah Austin was killed and the prisoners arrested, to procure their release and the property belonging to the prisoners. ..."
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The three people who wrote statements about these intruders were:
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George S. Massey, b-1810 SC; 1860 Grayson Co TX cen p206, $15,000/$25,000.
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Frances Cook, b-1820 KY; m-Wm. (b-1820 IL), ferry keeper, %1,000; 1860 Grayson Co TX cen p205. .... In her statement. she spoke of seven men led by "Elijah Austin" and clearly wrote that "P. Davis" was their visitor when the seven men were asking for whiskey and the contents of their smokehouse.
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Poter M. Davis, b-1818 TN; 1860 Grayson Co TX, p218, $6,000/$4,880 ... I think this is the "P.D. Davis" who wrote the statement about Elijah Austin, Mr. Hammock, Mr. Carr, and four friends. ... Please help me identify "P.D. Davis" who may be a relative of Frances Cook instead of a neighbor.
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Part of George S. Massey's statement:
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" ... I told them I had none to sell and __ nced to let them have any. They left and said they were going to ___ but returned
in 5 or 10 minutes in company with 20 or 30 men and with drawn Pistols demanded whiskey or brandy. To save my family & house from further insult and damage, __ let them take 3 or 4 Gallons of peach brandy, all I had. The conduct of the whole party was of the worst kind and an insult to decency. (torn) __ was after the taking of the brandy that Austin made threats __ to use in person for what __ I don’t know unless to dates on reporting the party who __ what brandy I had for __ and family use, never having Sold a drop of spirits in the __. ..."
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Since there were so many people involved in these events, a summary may be posted on the Internet. Unfortunately my limited Google skills leave me guessing.
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A listing of men that Capt. W.H. Shannon picked up at the Bonham jail and returned to Indian Territory should be in the records somewhere. I need the names of the other five of the seven accomplices.
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I welcome questions about these six letters.
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Patti, prochette@Juno.com
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